Ancient historical sites

The Narūta River which flows out of Lake Ežezers is approximately 1 km long and ends at the small Obiteļi windmill lake.  On the right bank of the river is a windmill that was built around 1900.  Today the site has the Obiteļa leisure centre with a sauna and banquet facilities.

Kaltene features several homes where shipbuilders used to live – Caurnāši, which was home to the Bertliņi family, Ilmati, where six ailing ships were built, Maizītes, where the Stahl family of ship builders built 16 two-mast and three-mast ships, and Dambekalni, which was once one of the first canned fish factories on the coastline.  To the side of the sea are the old boat piers of Kaltene.  In 1936, a board pier was built by the Freijs family from Roja.  It was 200 m long and had room for some 50 boats.  All that is left are wooden poles that have been eaten away by the sea and time.  If you want to learn about the specifics, difficulties and challenges of fishermen today, visit Ervīns Vilciņš in Ķirķrags.  He will tell interesting stories on the basis of his experience.  You can watch as he fishes in the morning and then taste the fish that he has caught. (Source: Roja TIC)

This was an island after the Rīga hydroelectric power plant created a reservoir, and before that it was a peninsula on the Left Bank of the Daugava.  During World War I, there were massive battles between Latvian Riflemen and a much larger German army on Death Island.  On December 25, 1916, the Germans used poisonous gas against the Latvian troops.  In honour of this, the architect Eižens Laube designed a monument to fallen Latvian riflemen on the northern shore of Death Island.  It was unveiled in 1924.  Death Island can be reached by boat, and the trenches and graves there are of interest.  There is a pier for boats on the north-western shore of the island, and nearby is a location for leisure.  Some of the trenches and dugouts have recently been restored.  The battles were described by Aleksandrs Grīns in his masterpiece, “Snowstorm of Souls.”

The Strūves Park is toward the northwest of Jēkabpils, on the left bank of the Daugava, and opposite the Ādamsona (Krustpils) island. The park was established in the 19^th century as a place where the city’s residents could relax and hold celebrations. It can be said with absolute certainty that this is a place of global importance, because the park contains a memorial stone to Professor Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struwe (1793-1864) from the University of Tartu. He was an astronomer and geodesist. The stone is at a place where Struwe completed his land survey of the Vidzeme Province of the Russian Empire. The meridian location which Struwe identified (and other points related to those locations are found in many other European countries) is on the UNESCO list of world heritage.

This is a very interesting monument to the history of fishing in the region.  These areas had docks and areas where fishermen built huts to store their nets and other inventory.  The areas also had a social role – men came together to discuss work that had to be done, while women and children wove nets.  The huts at Bigauņciems were eventually washed into the sea, and the areas at Ragaciems have been partly destroyed.  The ones at Lapmežciems are the ones which are best preserved.  One of the net huts has been restored, but the others are in very poor condition, indeed.  That may be why you should focus on these huts as you walk along the beach.  Make sure that you take some pictures of this historic location.

Temple Hill is steep (with artificially created steepness) and about 30 m high, and it is opposite Marijas Island.  It is an ancient Lettigalian castle hill, 80 m long and 40 m wide, with several artificial ramparts.  One of the oldest objects found in the region is an axe from the 2nd to 3rd millennium BC.   Archaeologists believe that the island was populated at that time.  There was a Lettigalian castle on the hill during the 10th and 11th century, but it was sacked by the Holy Crusade.  The surface of the castle hill was transformed comparatively recently in 1807, when a granite rotunda was built there in honour of Russian Field Marshall Sheremetev and Swedish captain Wulff.  The view of Lake Alūksne and the town is one of the most beautiful ones in all Vidzeme.  The Sun Bridge (1937) is also worth a look.  A wooden viewing platform is nearby.

Near Mākoņkalns hill there is a trail that is mowed in the summer and leads to several historical rocks – Plakanais (Flat) rock, Āža muguras (Ram's Back) rock (on which you can clamber), and the Jaunstašuļi Velna pēdas (Devil's Footprint) rock, on the surface of which is a shape similar to a human footprint.  There are signs along the side of the road leading to the trail.

The building was erected during the first period of Latvian independence, and it maintained its functions for a long time.  The building is located at Tukuma Street 30.  Beginning in 1940, the post office had an automated telephone central.  The Postal Service no longer uses it, and the building can only be viewed from the outside.

This is the one street in Ķemeri where the towns' wooden buildings have been preserved to the greatest degree.  Turning onto Durbes Street from Karogu Street, you will find the Miervaldis Ķemers Museum, which is focused on the well known Latvian cultural activist, pastor and painter (1902-1980).  The museum is at Durbes Street 21.

Built in the turn of the19th to 20th century. Next to it-on the right bank of the river Vēršupīte, there is located one of the most popular Latvian sulphur water springs, called "Small lizard". The spring runs out from a stone-designed lizard sculptured in 1949 (Sculptor J. Bajārs). Its water is healthy for using both internally and externally. Not far from the pavilion there can be found Jānis Lībietis alley sign. J. Lībietis worked in the position of a director for the sulphur water spring authority of Kemeri from 1928 to 1944.

Atrodas Vārtājas ielejas labajā krastā un labi saskatāms no Priekules – Grobiņas (P106) ceļa. Senās kuršu zemes – Piemares pilskalns, kas vēstures avotos pirmo reizi minēts 1253. gadā – līgumā starp Kurzemes bīskapu un Livonijas ordeni. Viens no lielākajiem Dienvidkurzemes pilskalniem. Iespējams, ka iepriekš – arī sens kulta kalns. Pagājušā gadsimta sešdesmitajos gados veiktajos arheoloģiskajos izrakumos konstatēts, ka pilskalns bijis apdzīvots jau vidējā dzelzs laikmetā. Pie tā konstatēta liela senspilsētas vieta.

The Middle Ages and the beginning of the last century cemetery at the church of Mazirbe. It is surrounded by a moss-covered stone fence. There you can find a number of interesting sights-Werewolf's Tomb, Old Taizelis Tomb, Grand Pine, etc..

Located on the left bank of the Venta River 100 m to the Northwest of the Liepāja (A9) highway bridge across the river.  The antique castle hill was the site of a Livonian Order that existed from the 14th to the 18th century before being sacked during the Great Northern War.  No part of the castle has survived.  A stage was built on the castle hill in 1987, and it is a popular venue for various events.  The hill is surrounded by a park with wooden chairs that were designed by the sculptor Ģirts Burvis in honour of the kings of Courland.  There is a viewing platform, and there are legends about underground passages and a white lady who appears only once every 100 years.

Atrodas 0,5 km ziemeļaustrumos no Dzērbenes baznīcas, ceļa otrajā pusē. Vizuāli izteiksmīgs pilskalns ar 50 x 50 m lielu plakumu, kura kultūrslānī atrastas vēlā dzelzs laikmeta apmetnes atliekas. Pilskalna rietumu nogāzē ir izveidots ceļš, pa kuru nonāksim līdz tā plakumam ar estrādi.

Setomaa in South-East Estonia is a unique area for its people (the Seto) and culture. The historic location in the borderland between East and West, straddling two languages and cultures has shaped the local language, life style, clothes and food. A very specific type of singing – leelo – is incorporated in the UNESCO list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Visitors are advised to follow the Seto Külävüü route from Võõpsu to Luhamaa through many villages to better understand the area.
Traditional Seto food is found at Seto Teahouse (tsäimaja) (+372 505 4673, www.setomuuseum.ee) in Värska and at Taarka Tarõ in the Seto Community Centre in Obinitsa (+372 5620 3374, http://taarkatare.com). Catering for groups should be booked in advance, cultural shows can also be booked.

Die Straße führt durch die ehemaligen Fischerdörfer. Eine bessere Radfahr-Alternative auf der Strecke zwischen Häädemeeste und Ainaži.

A straight street which runs through Ķemeri in the northwestern-southeastern direction. The street's name is a proof that it is the former historical boundary between the regions of Vidzeme and Kurzeme. Near the intersection of Robežu and Tukuma streets, you can notice the former pharmacy building-the memory of the former resort of the all-union significance. On the walls there has survived the pharmacy-related symbolism.

Tiek uzskatīta par vecāko alus darītavu Ziemeļeiropā. Tā tika uzcelta 1878. gadā, un tās pirmais īpašnieks bija grāfs Emanuels fon Zīverss (Sievers), Cēsu pils muižas saimnieks. Savukārt 1922. gadā alus darītavu pārpirka Cēsu uzņēmēji un sāka tur ražot arī vīnu, sulas un minerālūdeni. Uzņēmums "Cēsu alus" šeit alu un atspirdzinošus dzērienus ražoja no 1976. līdz 2001. gadam, bet šobrīd tas ir pārcēlies uz jaunām telpām.  Šobrīd ēkā tiek organizētas dažādas izstādes, kā arī ēku var apskatīt no ārpuses.

Near the place where the Kilmiņupe River flows into the sea is the legendary Trommel castle hill, which was a Medieval fortification.  It is some 100 m from the Kraujas homestead.  An archaeological dig in 1977 found fragments of bricks and pot-bellied stoves, which suggests that the fortifications date back to the Middle Ages.  The location also is linked to stories about a pirate, Trommel, who buried his loot here.  The holes in the area have been left behind by treasure hunters.  Trommel supposedly robbed ships in the Bay of Rīga from the shores of Kurzeme to Roņu Island.  Many ships docked here in ancient times, waiting for better winds so that they could pass by Cape Kolka.  The pirate made use of this fact, also pillaging property from sunken ships.  It is said that Trommel lived in a stone castle. (Source: Roja TIC)

Beliebte und eine der ältesten Straßen in Jurmala zwischen Dzintari und Majori. Die 1,1 km lange Straße mit Wirtshäusern, Sommercafés und Souvenirladen.

To the East of the Ezermuiža-Dūmele road you will find the bed of the ancient Lake Dieviņezers.  It was one of the largest lakes in Kurzeme in the past, being 7.5 km long and 1.6 km wide.  A canal was dug in 1838 (Melnsilupe River today), and the water from the lake was siphoned to the sea so as to create fertile farmland. Residents of Ezermuiža have been involved in forestry work since the age when barons ruled the land.  Dūmele is connected to Košrags by a lonely forest road that is known as the Bottom Road.  A bike route runs down it.  The Ziedkalni weekend house is in Dūmele. The "Ziedkalni" homestead in Dūmele offers spa services, cod fishing and accommodations.

Eine der größten befestigten Siedlungen im Bezirk Harju, befindert sich auf einer Erhebung des natürlichen Kliffs Nordestlands.

No Vilces muižas pa pastaigu taku var aiziet līdz pilskalnam (12 m virs apkārtnes, labiekārtots), kas atrodas Vilces un Rukūzes upīšu satekā. Atradumi liecina, ka cilvēku apmetne šeit ir pastāvējusi jau vidējā dzelzs laikmetā. Pilskalna piekājē atrodas atpūtai labiekārtotā Zaķu pļava. Nostāsti vēsta, ka Vilces grava bijusi laupītāja Kaupēna slēpšanās vieta.

Eine der ältesten Ortschaften Litauens. Schon im 14. Jh befand sich hier eine Holzburg. Der 20 m hohe Merķine-Burgberg an der Mündung der Flüsse Merkys und Nemunas.

 The Lašu castle hill is 0.2 km from the Vecumnieki-Ilūkste road at Laši. It is an ancient Selonian castle hill, and it was populated between the 1^st millennium BC and the 10^th or 12^th century. Very little remains of the old Veclaši (Tiesenhausen) Estate, which had an impressive mansion designed in the Neo-Gothic style in the late 19^th century. What remains are an ancillary building, the foundations of the mansion, fragments of the gates, and a park. Until 1920, the estate belonged to the Pshezdzetski dynasty, and before that it was owned by the Tiesenhausen and Fittinghoff dynasties. Before visiting the location, look for photographs of the old mansion on the Internet. Sadly, the important cultural monument has not experienced any major improvements over the past 20 years.

This is one of comparatively few castle hills along the banks of the Daugava River that is not overgrown with trees and bushes, which means that it has a classical castle hill form that is part of the local landscape.  The Dignāja castle hill was settled during several periods, particularly between the 5th and the 9th century AD, when it was an important centre.  Archaeologists have found that Lettigalian tribes lived here.  After the Holy Crusade invasion, the Livonian Order built a castle on the hill that has not survived.  It is said that there was once an underground passageway under the hill.  The hill itself offers a lovely view of the Daugava River valley.  World War I trenches have been preserved the area.  There was once a settlement at the foot of the hill.

Pie Vidzemes šosejas pirms Melturu tilta pāri Amatai ir privātais muzejs "Mežabrāļu bunkurs". Bunkurs izveidots, lai varētu vēstīt par Nacionālo partizānu mežabrāļu cīņu laikā no 1944.-1956. gadam, kad mežos pret okupācijas varu cīnījās ap 20 000 Latvijas patriotu. Nacionālo partizānu bunkurs izveidots balstoties uz savāktajām mežabrāļu atmiņām, dienasgrāmatu pierakstiem un fotogrāfijām. Uz bunkuru ved meža taka ar informāciju par dažādiem mežabrāļu piedzīvojumiem un cīņām. Bunkura pazemes daļā apskatāmi vēsturiskie priekšmeti, kas viņus pavadīja dzīvē un cīņā. Saimnieks piedāvā pastaigu pa meža taku, kur izvietota informācija par mežabrāļiem un slēpņu spēle bērniem. Ar iepriekšēju pieteikšanos iespējams iekļūt bunkurā un apskatīt iekārtotu bunkuru ar mežabrāļu izmantoto ieroču, munīcijas un citu priekšmetu ekspozīciju. Stāstījumu papildina savāktās mežabrāļu interviju videoieraksti. Apmeklētājiem iespējams pasūtīt mednieku desiņu cepšanu lapenē pie bunkura.

This partly forested hillock stands 40 metres above the surrounding area and offers impressive views.  The fact that this was once a castle hill is attested by the presence of a moat and remnants of defensive fortifications.  It is thought that Lettigalian tribes settled here in the 10th century AD.  You can climb the hillock to take a look at the surrounding landscapes.

Neliela apdzīvota vieta nacionālā parka ziemeļrietumu daļā, kur kādreiz atradusies Rebases muiža. Mūsdienās no tās saglabājušās klēts atliekas, pie kurām apskatāms interesants vēstures liecinieks – sens akmens, ko izmantoja kulšanas procesā (Peksukivi).

This may be an ancient cult object, and today it is a little hill in the dunes that is a bit larger than other local hills.  It is said that a church once sank into the dune.  This tale suggests that there was a Christian or pagan prayer place here at one time. (Source: Roja TIC)

Neliela apdzīvota un ainaviska vieta plašajā Skrobļa (Skroblus) strauta ielejā. Ciema austrumu pusē atrodas Lietuvas mērogā unikāls objekts – klēts - rija, kur no 1929. g. vietējie cilvēki uzveda un skatījās lauku teātra izrādes. Netālu no tās (uz abiem objektiem ir norādes) atrodas Skrobļa avoti (Skroblaus versmės), kas iztek no dziļas starppauguru ieplakas. Avotu gan ir appludinājis bebru uzceltais dambis. Dienvidos no ciema atrodas vecs grants karjers, kas ir viena no retajām vietām Baltijā, kur dabā ir atrodami krama ieža gabali, kas atnesti ar ledāju.

A place fraught with many legends and ghost stories about the old burial mound at the church of Mazirbe, an ancient tomb covered by stones– the only known grave of warewolves in Latvia.

One of the most interesting objects in Bigauņciems, the road begins at the seashore, crosses the Vecslocene River (there is no bridge, but hikers and bikers can get across it), and then continues as a forest road to Lake Melnezers.

Harilaidas galā no jūras ūdens paceļas 26 m augstā Kīpsāres bāka – viena no neparastākajām Igaunijas bākām. Tā celta 1933. g., kad jūra no bākas atradās ~ 100 m attālumā. Krastu noskalošanas rezultātā tā tagad ir viļņu ieskauta.

Находится на ул. Базницас, д. 17. Здание построено в XVII веке, как жилой дом кулдигского бургомистра. В 1701 году здесь гостил король Швеции Карл XII, который в передней оставил огромный сундук (2 х 2,5 м), на который после реставрации можно взглянуть и сегодня.

Vijciema čiekurkalte ir viena no retajām vēsturiskajām čiekurkaltēm Eiropā, kas celta 19. gadsimtā, un ir ne vien teicami saglabājusies līdz mūsdienām, bet arī, izmantojot vairāk nekā 100 gadus senas iekārtas, čiekurkaltē arvien tiek žāvēti čiekuri, lai iegūtu augstas kvalitātes meža sēklas.

Pateicoties ēkas bagātajai vēsturei un senajām čiekuru žāvēšanas tradīcijām, Vijciema čiekurkalte ir iecienīts tūristu objekts, kas piesaista vēstures, dabas un tehnoloģiju interesentus.

Vijciema čiekurkaltes apmeklētājiem ir iespēja doties izzinošā ekskursijā gan individuāli, gan grupās. Ekskursijas laikā ir iespēja atklāt čiekurkaltes vēsturi, skatīt čiekuru apstrādes cikla demonstrāciju, kā arī uzzināt, kur, kā un kāpēc čiekuri tiek lasīti.

Ekskursijas un individuālos apmeklējumus iepriekš jāpiesaka, zvanot 26478620.

Cena

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• Bērniem, pensionāriem – EUR 1.50

Находится на ул. Кунгу, д. 24.Одно из старейших зданий города - деревянный сруб с черепичной крышей, построенный во второй половине XVII века и прозванный в народе гостиницей мадам Хойер. Здесь в 1697 году во время путешествия «Великого посольства» в западную Европу останавливался (инкогнито) русский царь Петр I. Находящееся по соседству здание на ул. Кунгу, д. 26, является вторым старейшим жилым зданием Лиепаи (1699 г.) – жилой дом бургомистра города. Во время Северной войны здесь останавливался король Швеции Карл XII. Оба здания подлежат осмотру только снаружи.

To the North-west from the Pitrags Baptist church (in the direction of the sea) is a fishing and farming homestead, Kurgati, which was established in the 1930s.  This brought new building elements to the Liv Shore – a split roof end which was not typical of buildings in Liv villages.

In 1804 Käsmu founded the first Estonian naval school and from 1798 – 1920 built more than 40 ships. Now there is a museum about seafaring. 

The Vējupīte ravine is meant for those who are not afraid of long and steep wooden stairs of the type that lead you up and down the ravine. From the Līvkalns guesthouse, you can climb the stairs downward, where you will find a shallow (3.6 m) but high (6.1 m) cave – the Pēters Cave. It is something of a gap or a niche. Another 10 minutes or so downstream (toward the Gauja) will lead you to the deep Pūces ravine and its Kraukļupīte River. The Satezele castle hill is at the confluence of the two rivers (90 x 75 m). A wooden castle was there during the feudal era in the early 13th century. Its main entrance was on the western side of the castle hill. You can get to the hill from the depths of the ravine via a wooden staircase. The Kraukļi ravine, in turn, is accessible if you climb down the same stairs and continue on your way toward the Gauja. The ravine is found on the left bank of the Vējupīte, and its sandstone walls are up to 11 m high. The Kraukļi cave, which is 5.2 m deep, is on the wall. Another 10-15 minutes (crossing the Vējupīte on a wooden bridge), and you will find another staircase leading you to Paradīze Hill (see the description above).

Lullemē atrodas blakus parka robežai, bet arī šo vietu ir vērts pieminēt kā vienu no apskates objektiem. Lullemē uzmanību piesaista viena otrai blakus stāvošās baznīcas. Mūsdienās redzamās 15. gs. celtās Sv. Marijas baznīcas drupas ir liecinieks 2. pasaules kara notikumiem, kad 1944. g. baznīcu sagrāva. Jaunā baznīca ir celta 1997. gadā. Ciema rietumdaļā uzstādīts piemineklis, kas veltīts brīvības cīņās (1919. – 1920.) kritušajiem.

Name of Litene is associated with one of the most tragic pages of Latvian history. In twenties and thirties of the 20th century a Latvian Army summer camp was located nearby, where in the summer of 1941 Latvian officers faced the communist terror: Nearly five hundred officers of Latvian army were sent to Norilsk in Siberia, part of them was shot and secretly buried in the nearby forest. At the end of the summer of 1941 about 300 civilians, mostly Jews, were shot there by the army of Nazi Germany. Today, honouring the memory of people killed, memorial and memorial sites are created.

Ein der ethnografischen Dörfer in Dzūkija mit Holzgebäuden und Kruzifix.

Kolkja, Kasepää and Varnja are another example of one-street villages of Old Believers who fled to Estonia from Russia in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Old Believers Museum (www.hot.ee/kolkjamuuseum) is located in Kolkja as is Suur-Kolkja prayer house. An Old Believers´ church and the Museum of Living History are found in Varnja (www.starover.ee). Both museums tell a gripping and well-illustrated story of Old Believers on Lake Peipsi over 350 years.

Grūti iedomāties, ka vēl joprojām Eiropā ir apdzīvotas vietas, kuru sasniegšanai ir labu laika sprīdi jābrauc pa neapdzīvotu mežu ieskautu smilšainu ceļu, kur tikai paretam var redzēt kādu sēņotāju vai ogotāju! Tāpat kā Zervinos ciemam, arī šim ir piešķirts kultūras mantojuma pieminekļa statuss, jo Linežeris ir viens no dažiem nacionālā parka etnogrāfiskajiem ciemiem. Linežerī ir aplūkojamas 19. – 20. gs. mijā celtās ēkas un apskatāms tā laika ciema plānojums. Šejieniešu tāpat kā citu dzūku galvenā nodarbošanās bija mežistrāde un meža velšu vākšana. Nelielā mērā – arī lauksaimniecība. Apceļojot nacionālā parka etnogrāfiskos ciemus, rodas pamatots jautājums: „Ar ko mūsdienās te nodarbojas cilvēki. Kā viņi spēj dzīvot tik nomaļā vietā”? Jāatzīst, ka lielākā daļa te ierodas tikai vasaras laikā. Neskatoties uz to, etnogrāfiskie ciemi ir ļoti sakopti un joprojām „dzīvi”!

Divas mazas apdzīvotas vietas nacionālā parka dienvidrietumu daļā. No kādreiz piecām Kolski ciema saimniecībām līdz mūsdienām ir saglabājusies tikai viena. Kolski iedzīvotājus līdzīgi kā citviet Baltijas valstīs pēc 2. pasaules kara deportēja uz Sibīriju. Kolski apkārtnē redzamie mājdzīvnieki „apsaimnieko” šejienes pļavas, neļaujot tām aizaugt ar mežu. Tādējādi tiek uzturēta apkaimes vēsturiskā ainava. 3 km dienvidrietumos meklējams Kobasāres ciems. Tā nosaukums (koopa no igauņu valodas nozīmē ala, saar – sala) atgādina par Ziemeļu kara notikumiem, kura laikā cilvēki slēpušies pašu raktās alās. Kobasārē un tam blakus esošajā Apjas (Apja) ciemā var izbaudīt patiesi 21. gadsimtam nepierastas lauku ainavas.

Cēsu centrālais laukums – Vienības laukums (20.gs.sākumā – Konventa laukums) – atgādina par Cēsu kauju notikumumiem, kuru nozīme un ikviena dalībnieka ieguldījums aprakstīti devīzē uz pieminekļa “No zobena saule lēca”. Cēsu kaujas 1019.gada jūnijā bija svarīgs Latvijas valstiskuma vēstures pagrieziena punkts, kad apvienotais latviešu un igauņu karaspēks sakāva vācu landesvēru, kas apdraudēja Baltijas valstu pastāvēšanu. Vienības laukums turpina būt par nozīmīgu notikumu liecinieku. 1989.gada 23.augustā daudzu cēsnieku ceļi veda uz Vienības laukumu, kuram cauri vijās Baltijas ceļš.